Jefferson City, Missouri -
A proposed amendment to the Missouri constitution that would bar same-sex couples from marrying will be placed on the November ballot.
The House voted 124-25 Friday to approve the measure in the final minutes of the legislative session. It had already passed the the Senate by a 26-6 vote.
The proposed amendment is just one sentence long: "That to be valid and recognized in this state, a marriage shall exist only between a man and a woman."
The state already has a so-called Defense of Marriage Act. But, supporters of the amendment say without enshrining traditional marriage in the constitution "rogue" judges could overturn the DOMA.
House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell called the issue "too important" for judges to decide.
"It shouldn't be decided by an activist judge somewhere that chooses to do that by judicial fiat, like we've seen all across this nation," said Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau).
Although the proposal is scheduled to be put to voters in November Gov. Bob Holden could move it up to August when the primaries are held.
A spokesperson for the governor Friday night said Holden had not made up his mind.
©365Gay.com® 2004
The House voted 124-25 Friday to approve the measure in the final minutes of the legislative session. It had already passed the the Senate by a 26-6 vote.
The proposed amendment is just one sentence long: "That to be valid and recognized in this state, a marriage shall exist only between a man and a woman."
The state already has a so-called Defense of Marriage Act. But, supporters of the amendment say without enshrining traditional marriage in the constitution "rogue" judges could overturn the DOMA.
House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell called the issue "too important" for judges to decide.
"It shouldn't be decided by an activist judge somewhere that chooses to do that by judicial fiat, like we've seen all across this nation," said Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau).
Although the proposal is scheduled to be put to voters in November Gov. Bob Holden could move it up to August when the primaries are held.
A spokesperson for the governor Friday night said Holden had not made up his mind.
©365Gay.com® 2004
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
